I find skepticism annoying. I'd much prefer to believe everything until proven otherwise. It's just so tedious....always needing proof before you try anything. Yawn...yawn. Things don't become any truer the day they are proven. It's fun to be open and try things and look for the value in unconventional ideas and theories and new ways of doing things...and not be eternally poo pooing everything new that comes along.

That said....this article about Chi Running was written by a true skeptic...Craig Payne. He calls his web site The Running Research Junkie. As it turns out...he's a skeptic...but a really, fair and helpful skeptic. It's an excellent web site.

Craig took a Chi Running course and describes his experience here. Like the Pose Method, Chi Running is a technique used to improve running form. It's a very good article. He explains that the Chi Running course was actually quite helpful. However, the claims that were made along with the overall "selling" of the Chi Running technique were ridiculous...loads of BS.

As it turned out, he went to a course that was run by non-credential Chi Running coach. Nevertheless, his article highlights the problem with so many of today's running fads. They hold value but they make absurd declarations in order to be more...more important...more revered and respected...more than all the other fads. In doing so, they hurt their credibility and obscure the value that they do bring.If you want to look at some of the research on things such as Chi Running or Pose Running or topics like minimalism, barefoot running, etc., check out the The Running Research Junkie web site and you'll get a very fair...albeit skeptical...evaluation. In the meantime...when it comes to new stuff...stay open...but be wary of unfounded claims. Don't get swept away by all the hype.